VATSIM has been in the process of revising the Global Ratings Policy.  After seven months in committee, the revised policy is ready for public review.  I encourage everyone to review the draft and to leave constructive feedback.

The policy can be found here:  https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/31660-global-air-traffic-controller-administration-policy-draft-and-executive-summary/

Ryan Geckler is stepping down as VATUSA Command Center Manager.  I wish to thank him for overseeing a successful launch of VATUSA TMU!  His resignation is effective July 1.  The Command Center Manager and NAS Operations Manager positions will be combined.  Jeremy Peterson will be performing both roles.

Please join me in congratulating Ryan on a job well done and Jeremy in his newly combined role!

Meeting minutes from May 2, 2021 ZHQ meeting are attached.

Division Meeting Minutes from March 12, 2021 meeting have been published.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Midwest Region Manager for VATUSA.

REPORTS TO:  VATUSA Division General Manager, VATUSA2

RESPONSIBLE FOR:  Management of the Midwest Region consisting of ZDV, ZMP, ZKC, ZAU

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
* Directs the Division’s objectives within the Region
* Maintains an active online presence within the Division, Region, and on the VATSIM network
* Guides and mentors the subordinate ARTCC ATMs (and staff, if necessary)
* Approves ARTCC SOPs and LOAs
* Addresses disciplinary situations with the Division General Manager
* Administers the selection of ARTCC ATM candidates using established guidelines
* Approves the selection of ARTCC DATM candidates
* Approves the selection of ARTCC Webmaster candidates
* Coordinates with adjacent Region Managers on inter-regional operations and issues
* Prepares and analyzes relevant data and/or reports
* Functions as a VATUSA staff member and attends meetings as necessary
* Reviews the VATUSA Forums, VATUSA Discord, and VATUSA Social Media Channels regularly

Core Requirements:
* Active member of the network in good standing for at least 12 months
* Considerable experience and success in an ARTCC senior staff role
* Able to effectively lead in a team environment
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* No significant disciplinary record or history of unprofessional behavior
* Minimum rating of C1

Desired Skills and Capabilities:
* Demonstrated recent experience with the management of ARTCC operations -- preferably within the advertised Region
* Demonstrated project management skills
* Demonstrated possession and utilization of a high degree of energy, commitment and dedication
* Demonstrated qualities of understanding, patience, maturity


To be effective, the successful candidate must devote a considerable amount of time to the position. Candidates must commit to devoting the time required. Only those who fully understand and meet the requirements and will make the appropriate commitment should apply. Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview.

Interested members must provide a letter of application, including full name, active email, CID, rating, and a resume that includes a description of VATSIM experience including leadership roles. Additionally, the letter of application should outline the applicant’s vision for the region to include goals, strategies, plans and timelines. Finally, the application should detail the applicant's reasons for wanting to lead the region with compelling evidence to show how the position requirements are met and how the region will thrive under the applicant's leadership.

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:
 
Mani Manigault, VATUSA Division Director, [email protected]
Wes Miles, VATUSA General Manager [email protected]


Application deadline is April 18, 2021 at 23:59Z.

Minutes from the VATUSA January 16th 2021 Staff Meeting are attached.

Happy New Year!

2020 was a very eventful year!  Active controllers increased 18% year over year.  If you do not count the first quarter, active controllers increased on average 27%!  Controlling hours were also in an uptrend year over year.   More than likely a significant part of the growth was due to the COVID pandemic.

My goal for 2021 is to continue to grow the Pilot and Controller communities plus grow the number of controlling hours by:

• Strengthening VATUSA’s relationship with the Network at large:  Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to Gunnar Lindahl - VATGOV1 for the first time one on one as VATUSA Division Director.  His focus is to make VATSIM more accessible, to place the Network in a more prominent position on the Flight Simulation stage, and to streamline training.  He believes that more active controllers result in more active pilots.  I support Gunnar’s goals!

VATUSA is a Division of VATSIM.  We are not on an island; we are part of something larger.  I encourage everyone to read VATSIM's New Year Message found here: https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/30319-new-years-message-from-vatsim/. 

One small way ARTCCs can strengthen ties is for ECs to market their events on the VATSIM Events Calendar. This will increase our visibility to the rest of the Network, and it is important to the Board of Governors that we advertise our events in the myVATSIM Portal.

Federico has been supportive of VATUSA.  He has regularly reached out to make sure we have what we need to be successful.  He has held one Americas Regional Meeting so far.  I enjoyed meeting my Regional Teammates.  Divisions in the Americas Region share similar concerns.  I’ll bring back any best practices I learn to VATUSA.

• Strengthening ZHQ’s relationship with the ARTCCs:  Now that all the Region Managers have been hired, their workload should be more manageable.  Their visibility within their Regions should be high.  They should be maintaining controlling currency within their Region.  They should be holding Regional Town Halls on a regular basis.  I should not be seeing “I don’t know what my Region Manager is doing. I never see him/her around….” type of messages.  I have full confidence that Ryan Parry, Paul, Ryan Pitt, Cody, and Brandon will not allow this to happen!  The lines of communication between them are strong.  They’re competitive and strive for their regions to be the best they can be.

I have given ATM/DATMs the opportunity to review and provide feedback on every Divisional Policy I have rolled out thus far.  Their feedback has been helpful.  ATM/DATM policy reviews will continue to be standard operating practice.  Anthony and Meg have been in constant communication with the TAs to solicit feedback on training policies and practices.

Wes has built out a project management application that is keeping management on track.  His FAA Supervisory experience and discipline has been invaluable!

• Retaining New Members and C1s:  If VATSIM is successful with making the Network more accessible to new members, we should receive a sizeable number of new members.  Anthony and Meg are extremely hard at work reviewing quizzes, procedures, etc. to break down barriers to learning. 

I have been pleased with the TMU rollout.  I wish to grow the ACE Team and NTMO Team into an elite squad that will develop Tier 1/Tier 2 awareness.  These teams will be an avenue of progression for those who do not wish to become staff members or Instructors.   Ryan Geckler’s FAA-ZMA experience and Jeremy’s FAA Command Center exposure lends immediate credibility to this program.

• Building out capabilities of the VATUSA Website:  We are migrating to a different web hosting service to support the Centralized Training Record database, TMU integration, and future projects.  Thanks Blake and Brayden for your hard work!

• Strengthening ties between the Pilot and Controller community:  I plan to advertise a Pilot Liaison type of position Q1 2021.  The more we can support the transition from offline-exclusive pilot to online pilot, the more effective we will be in faithfully simulating the vNAS.  Strengthening ties with our pilot community – especially those with real world pilot experience will open the door to sharing of best practices that will make the hobbyist controller more effective.

Here’s to a prosperous 2021 for VATUSA!   My door is always open if you wish to share suggestions and feedback.